July 19, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 23 Developer Outlines Vision For Site Near Schools By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER BERLIN – Years after an initial plan to develop Seahawk Road was abandoned, a new developer briefed the Worcester County Board of Education this week about a vision for the area. Rinnier Development Company (RDC) hopes to add both retail and residential facilities on Seahawk Road, directly adjacent to Stephen Decatur High and Middle schools. Representing RDC, attorney Mark Cropper led his presentation by drawing a distinct line between what other developers had considered adding to Seahawk Road in the 2000s and what RDC looks to do. “I think one of the principle differences between the earlier proposal for this property and what’s being proposed now is that none of the earlier proposals were inclusive of a residential component. A large portion of this is residential in nature,” Cropper said. RDC Vice President Blair Rinnier told the board that his company has already purchased the 120 acres across from the two schools and is considering adding another nearby parcel. The plan RDC has is to find a few retailers who are willing to enter into a contract with them to add facilities on Seahawk Road. That would only be for the space closest to Route 50 and Seahawk Road, however, with the majority of the parcel RDC owns slated to be devoted to residential apartment units. Once fully realized, which Rinnier stressed could take 10 to 15 years, the RDC-owned property on Seahawk Road could have around 375,000 square feet of commercial space as well as up to 900 apartment units. While that level of development would represent a major shift from what exists in the area to- day, Rinnier told the school board that everything would be done in phases and that RDC has put careful thought in how to manage the growth. The developer would be installing a service road, Cropper added, which would serve to allow easy ingress and egress from the nearby schools. “We want to make it as easy as possible for students, parents, anybody accessing the school to utilize the service road, which is directly across from the parking lot,” he said. A service road would be a major improvement, according to Cropper, as anyone leaving or entering either school now has to make use of Seahawk Road, a situation that can result in heavy traffic during the school year at certain points of the day. “Really, what you’re doing in my SEE PAGE 25 OCEAN CITY Since MARYLAND 1973 SNOW CRAB LEGS & CLAWS, CARVED PRIME RIB, RAW OYSTERS AND CLAMS, BBQ RIBS AND CHICKEN, FRESH FISH, STEAMED SHRIMP, FRIED SHRIMP, FOUR HOMEMADE SOUPS, FRESH SUMMER SALADS AND VEGETABLES, HOMEMADE DESSERTS AND SOFT ICE CREAM STATION AND LOTS MORE! PLENTY OF ASSORTED MEAT ITEMS FOR NON-SEAFOOD LOVERS 150 Feet Of Delicious Food The Ultimate All-You-Care-To-Eat SEAFOOD & PRIME RIB BUFFET Full a la Carte Menu • Special Selection Of Foods For Your Children, When The Kids Are Happy, So Are The Parents! Over 500 Dining Seats Items Subject To Change FRIDAY-THURSDAY, JULY 19-25 OPEN DAILY AT 3 P.M. 71st Street & Coastal Highway Ocean City, Md. • 410-524-7171 www.thebonfirerestaurant.com NEWLY EXPANDED WAITING AREA WITH COMFORTABLE SEATS FOR ALL WE TRY OUR BEST TO SEAT PEOPLE PROMPTLY. EARLY BIRD $5 OFF REGULAR ADULT BUFFET FROM 3 P.M.-4 P.M.